Horse-shield



UNITED NELSON E. SPRINGSTEEN, OF ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN.

HORSE-SHIELD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 440,887, dated November 18, 1890.

Application filed June 23, 1890. Serial No. 356,378. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Nansen E. Srnmesrnnu, a citizen of the United States, residing at Royal Oak, in the county of Oakland and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Horse-Shields, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in horse-shields designed to prevent stallions from abusing themselves; and the invention consists in securing below the sheath of the animal a shield having an aperture with rigid sides large enough to allow the animal to make any necessary projection in urinating, but of such restricted size that should the extended parts enlarge the rigid sides will press into the flesh, giving pain sufficient to cause the animal to desist, and, further, in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows my device as applied. Fig. 2 is a detached perspective View thereof. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View of the shield, and Fig. 4 is a detached perspective View of the frame. Fig. 5 is a plan of a modification of the frame.

My shield consists of a rigid apertured frame, which may be of any suitable construction. I show it in the drawings constructed of the curved crossbar A, to which are pivoted the two side bars B B at one end and adjustably secured together at the other end by means of a slot a, formed in an offset upon the bar B, and a set-screw or boltb upon a corresponding offset upon the bar B engaging through said slot. This allows me to adjust the size of the aperture. Upon either The frame is made of flat metal or other rigid material and presents no obstacle to any movement of the horse nor any danger of injury in lying down, &c. In adjusting it it is suspended beneath his belly, with the aperture below the opening in his sheath. The cross-bar A forms the bearing at the front edge against the belly, and is held in such position by gravity, due to the suspension of the shield forward of its middle. The securing-strap may be slightly inclined also to assist to the same end. The wedge shaped pads bear against the legs of the horse and center the device. Thus constructed the frame is always held in the proper position, so that on the extension of the penis it will necessarily pass through the aperture, the aperture having rigid sides and being of proper size to punish him if any enlargement is made, but in no Way obstructing an extension for necessary purposes.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modification, in which the bars B B are corrugated on their inner edges, the bar B having an extension on its lower end at right angles thereto, having a slot a therein, and a bolt Z) passing through the slot to form a means of adjustment for the two bars in relation to each other.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In a device of the kind described, the combination, with the cross-bar, of side bars pivoted thereto and adj ustably united at their lower ends, pads secured to the side bars, and straps secured to the pads forward of the center of gravity, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the kind described, the shield composed of an adjustable apertured frame, the Wedgeshaped pads, and a supporting-strap, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NELSON E. SPRINGSTEEN.

\Vitnesses:

P. M. HULBER'I, A. L. HOBBIE. 

